Aseptic container filling apparatus

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed an apparatus for filling containers in a steam-filled sterile atmosphere. The containers move in a single line from a sterilizing chamber onto a continuously-moving conveyor in the elongated filling apparatus. Means interposed across the path of travel of the containers arrests the motion of the containers in such location that each of several containers is under a filling tube. When the containers are so arrested, an electric probe is lowered into each container, whereupon a filling valve for each tube opens and the product flows into the containers. When the product reaches the probe in each container, the valve for that container is closed. When all containers are filled, the probes lift, and the means that arrested the travel of the containers is released to let the filled containers pass until all filled containers are discharged and the following empty containers are arrested in position for a repetition of the filling cycle. Means are provided to prevent operation of the filling cycle if there is not a container under each filling tube.

[111 3,828,833 5 Aug. 13, 1974 ASEPTIC CONTAINER FILLING APPARATUS [75]Inventors: Richard A. Smith, Gibsonia; Chester L. Gutowski, Pittsburgh,both of Pa.

[73] Assignee: H. J. Heinz Company, Pittsburgh,

[22] Filed: June 14, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 152,704

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No.823,010, May 8,

1969, abandoned.

[52] US. Cl 141/85, 141/181, 141/198 [51] Int. Cl B65b 3/12 [58] Fieldof Search 141/85, 86, 138, 140l43, 141/153,156,157,167,l80,183,185,188,192, 198, 200, 202, 210, 219, 242, 243, 361,

3,698,450 10/1972 Taylor et al. 141/85 Primary ExaminerHouston S. Bell,Jr. Assistant ExaminerFrederick R. Schmidt Attorney, Agent, orFirmMiller, Welsh & Kratz 5 7 ABSTRACT There is disclosed an apparatusfor filling containers in a steam-filled sterile atmosphere. Thecontainers move in a single line from a sterilizing chamber onto acontinuously-moving conveyor in the elongated filling apparatus. Meansinterposed across the path of travel of the containers arrests themotion of the containers in such location that each of severalcontainers is under a filling tube. When the containers are so arrested,an electric probe is lowered into each container, whereupon a fillingvalve for each tube opens and the product flows into the containers.When the product reaches the probe in each container, the valve for thatcontainer is closed. When all containers are filled, the probes lift,and the means that arrested the travel of the containers is released tolet the filled containers pass until all filled containers aredischarged and the following empty containers are arrested in positionfor a repetition of the filling cycle. Means are provided to preventoperation of the filling cycle if there is not a container under eachfilling tube.

19 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PAIENIEBmm 3:324

SHEEI 1 {IF 6 INVENTORS RICHARD A. SHIT/1' and CHESTER GUTOWS/(l By M,#54 7% their Alfarneys PAIENIEDMIBI 3814 8.828.883

SHEET 2 UP 6 N INVENTORS RICHARD A. SMITH and CHESTER L. GUTOWSK/ M, W r

Hie/r A/I arneys PATENTEUAUBWW 4 3.828.833

' mm a m 6 I INVENTORS RICHARD A. SMITH and CHESTER L. GUTOWS/(l MeirAttorneys PATENIEB mm mm Mn 5 0F 6 INVEN RS RICHARD A. SMITH and f! eirAttorneys SPECIFICATION This application is a continuation-in-part ofapplication Ser. No. 823,010, filed May 8, 1969, now abandoned, and theinvention relates to the filling of previously sterilized containerswith apreviously sterilized perishable liquid or semi-liquid product inan aseptic environment, and is for an apparatus wherein a succession ofcontainers are intermittently moved in groups under filling nozzles,filled to a uniform depth in a sterile atmosphere and then advanced toan apparatus where they are sealed.

Many liquid and semi-liquid food products, either with or withoutfinely-divided or chunky solids, are marketed in cans or glasscontainers. In some cases the sterile product may be cooled to atemperature where air-borne organisms may survive when it is introducedinto the container. Unless the product is subsequently retorted tofurther sterilize it after the container is sealed, or unless theproduct is filled into previouslysterilized containers in a completelysterile atmosphere, spoilage may result. This invention is especiallyapplicable to the filling of such a so-called cold product not intendedto be further sterilized in containers.

Attempts have heretofore been made for filling cans in a sterileatmosphere, usually an atmosphere of steam. Modifications of existingtypes of rotary filling machines have been generally modified for suchuse, but difficulty is encountered largely due to the fact that it isdifficult to maintain an aseptic steam atmosphere in a combination ofrevolving and stationary equipment and because bearings of one kind oranother failed, or parts failed to operate smoothly because theatmosphere of hot steam and the character of the operation eitherremoved the lubricant, or lubricant could not be supplied to criticalparts.

According to the present invention, the containers travel in a straightline rather than in a rotary machine from a sterilizing enclosure intothe enclosed container-filling apparatus where there is maintained anatmosphere of steam. A selected number of cans or jars move to aposition under the equal number of filling spouts or nozzles, onecontainer under each spout. When the containers are so positioned, anelectric probe is projected down into each of these containers,whereupon the product is discharged from the filling spouts into thecontainers until contact is made with the respective probes, eachfilling spout being closed independently of the others as each probemakes contact with the product. When all containers have been filled tothe same depth, the probes are raised to clear the tops of thecontainers, and the filled cans or jars are moved into an enclosurethrough which they are transferred in an aseptic environment to aseaming or closure-applying machine.

The cans are carried through the apparatus on endless chains passingaround a sprocket, the shafts for which are on bearings outside thehousing. All other movable parts are outside the housing, or in the caseof a star wheel, which blocks the movement of the cans under thedischarge spouts and monitors their movement from the filling machines,its shaft is in bearings outside the housing. Only the conveyor chainlinks are the moving parts for which lubrication outside the atmosphereof steam is not provided.

IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the container-fillingapparatus with a portion of the sterilizing chamber at one end and thefilled can discharge chamber at the other;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the filler on a larger scale with parts ofthe enclosure broken away;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the star wheel control arrangement;

FIG. 4 is a transverse vertical section in the plane of line lVlV ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a horizontal fragmentary section in the plane of line V-V ofFIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a detail view on a larger scale showing a single filler valveand its associated parts, and showing partly in section and partly inelevation one of the probes together with the vertically-movable probesupport and the rock shaft arrangement for moving the supportvertically;

FIG. 7 is a transverse section in the plane of line VII- -VII of FIG. 2showing the position of the parts with the probes elevated;

FIG. 8 is a transverse section in the plane of line VIII- VIII of FIG. 2showing the probes lowered;

FIG. 9 is a schematic circuit diagram through which the sequence ofoperation of the apparatus is effected; and

FIG. 10 is a horizontal section in about the plane of line XX of FIG. 2showing one arrangement for preventing the seam on the bottom of one canin the filling section from riding up on the edge of the can ahead.

Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated an apparatus designedfor filling large No. 10 cans, and while such cans will be referred to,the apparatus may be designed to fill other sizes of cans and also glasscontainers.

The cans which have been sterilized in an atmosphere of steam, movethrough an enclosure 2 to the entrance at 3 of the can-filling machinedesignated generally as 4 which comprises an elongated tunnel-likeenclosure having a bottom 5, side walls 6 and 7, and a top 8. Thedischarge end of the tunnel is indicated at 9. Within the tunnel is achain conveyor comprising parallel sprocket chains having an upperflight l0 moving over the top of parallel rails 11 from the entrancetoward the discharge end, and a lower flight 12 moving in the oppositedirection on support rails 13. There is a steam inlet pipe 14 indicatedin FIGS. 7 and 8 on the side wall 7, and the bottom 5 is slopeddownwardly from the ends toward the central drain 15 for the removal ofcondensate.

The conveyor chain passes around sprocket wheels 16 on a shaft 17 at theentrance end of the enclosure and around sprocket wheels 18 on a shaft19 at the exit end. While these shafts pass through the enclosure, theirbearings are indicated at 20 on the supporting frame structure outsidethe housing. The conveyor is continuously driven by a motor and variablespeed drive unit 21 and sprocket chain 22 that passes around a sprocketwheel on shaft 19. There are guide fences 23 having horizontal rails 24in the tunnel along each side of the conveyor to keep the cans lined upon the conveyor.

To prevent the cans from being carried continuously through the tunnel,and to position the cans under the filling nozzles to be hereinafterdescribed, there is an offset on the side wall 7 (see FIGS. 3, 4, and toprovide an enclosure around a restraining device comprising aturnstile-like star wheel 30 on a vertical shaft 31. The vanes 32 of thestar wheel travel in a circle that extends partway across the path oftravel of the cans on the conveyor. This star wheel is located near thedischarge end of the enclosure. Its shaft passes upwardly and downwardlythrough bearings 33 on the outside of the top and bottom of the offsetportion of the enclosure. Above the bearing the shaft has a cam disk 34with a step 35 on its periphery.

As viewed in FIG. 5, the cans, by reason of their being urged forward bythe conveyor, tend to rotate the star wheel in a counterclockwisedirection, and continuous rotation is prevented by a latching lever ordog 36 engaging the step in a cam. The latching lever 36 is pivoted on avertical pivot at 37, and the end of the lever beyond the pivot has atension spring 38 that urges the lever into latching position. Beyondthe spring there is an air cylinder 39 with a piston and piston rod 40which is normally retracted, as shown in FIG. 3. When cylinder 39 isreceiving an air impulse, it is extended to the left as here shown toengage the lever 36 and swing it against the tension of the spring 38 torelease the latch from the step in the cam. A solenoid valve 41 controlsthe flow of air from pipe 42 to the cylinder.

When the star wheel is latched against rotation, one of the vanes of thestar wheel projects directly across the path of travel of the cans, sothat even though the conveyor chain is continuously operating, the cancannot pass. When the latch is tripped, then each can in turn willengage successive vanes of the star wheel, rotating the wheel one fullrevolution when the latching dog will snap into engagement with the stepof the cam and prevent further rotation until the latch is againreleased. In the apparatus shown, the star wheel has six vanes so thatthe can-restraining device will pass six cans each time the latch isreleased.

The star wheel shaft has a metal arm 43 thereon above the cam thatrotates with the star wheel, and which is a senser for momentarilyenergizing a proximity switch 44 on a fixed support, and so located thatthe sensor will move past it just as the last can has cleared the starwheel and the star wheel has latched. Its purpose, as hereinafter morefully described, is to generate an impulse that will signal when sixcans have passedthe star wheel.

There is a fixed support above the top of the enclosure that supports aspaced series of product-filling valves and tubes, all of likeconstruction, and each of which is designated generally as 50. With astar wheel set to pass six containers, there are an equal number, thatis six of these units 50, and the first of the series, starting at theright in FIGS. 1 and 2, is located directly above that can which is thenimmediately against the restraining vane of the star wheel. Each othervalve unit is then located over the succeeding five cans, so that eachof six cans is under one of the six filling valve units in position toreceive product therefrom.

One of the filling valve units is shown in FIG. 6. Each one comprises avalve body 51 with a laterallyextending inlet connection 52 and avertical discharge tube 53 positioned above a discharge port 54 in thetop 8 of the elongated tunnel-like enclosure. There is a collar 55 onthe top 8 into which the tube is fitted. The valve element 56 isnormally in the closed position where it blocks the flow of product fromthe inlet to the discharge. This element is carried on a valve stem 57that extends up through a gland 58 and through a biological seal 59forming an extension of the gland. This comprises a tube concentricabout the valve stem with a stem inlet connection 60 and a stem outletconnection 61. By circulating steam through this tube at aboveatmospheric pressure, air cannot leak into the valve through the gland.There is a quick disconnect coupling sleeve 62 at the top of the tube,through which the valve stem also passes, which is restrained by a quickdisconnect coupling retaining spring 66.

The upper end of the valve stem 57 is coupled to the lower end of apiston rod 63 on which is a collar 64. This rod extends down from an aircylinder 65 in which there is a piston (not shown). Pressure in thecylinder 65 moves the valve 56 down into closed position. There is asolenoid valve 67 which controls the flow of air to cylinder 65 andwhich is spring biased to move to one position when its solenoid isde-energized and to another position when its solenoid is energized. Theadmission of air to the lower end of cylinder 65 lifts valve 56 to openit, and this occurs when the solenoid of the air flow valve 67 isenergized, and when the solenoid of air control valve 67 isde-energized, air pressure is admitted to cylinder 65 to close theproduct supply valve 56. The solenoid valves 67 are, of course, standardequipment.

Each valve inlet 52 has a pipe 68 that leads to a manifold 69 into whichproduct under pressure is supplied by a pipe 70 from a reservoir 71 inwhich a sterile gas, such as air or nitrogen, is maintained underpressure above the body of liquid in the reservoir.

The filling valves are all opened simultaneously when there is a canunder each one, as hereinbefore described, and each is closedindependently when its can is filled to a predetermined level. This iscontrolled by an electrode, herein termed a probe, that effects theclosing of the valve when the product touches the probe. This probearrangement will be next described.

Alongside each discharge tube there is a bushing 75 on the top 8 of thetunnel. There is a sleeve 76 slidably passing through this bushing, andthere is a collar 77 around the top of this sleeve that is bolted to thedownturned leg of an angle bar 78 that is the common support for all ofthe probes. Each sleeve can be adjusted vertically in the collar 77 andheld in the adjusted position by a set screw 79. At the top of eachsleeve there is an insulator that closes the top of the sleeve, andthrough which passes the metal electrode or probe element 80, whichextends down through the sleeve but is out of contact therewith. Thelower end of the electrode which is pointed extends below the sleeve andthe point is bare metal while the electrode above the point is coatedwith an insulation such as Teflon. An electric lead wire 81 is connectedto the top of the probe.

When the cans are moving into and out of position, these probes must beclear of the tops of the cans, but when the cans are being filled, theprobes must project into the open tops of the cans so that their pointswill be at the level to which the cans are to be filled. They musttherefore all be raised and lowered in unison. This is accomplished byraising and lowering the bar 78 on which all of the probe units arecarried, and in this raising and lowering of the probes, the sleeves 76slide in their respective bushings 75.

sion, and the upper end of this link is pivotally attached at 87 to acrank arm 88. The crank arms 88 are on a rock shaft 89 that extendslongitudinally above the top of the tunnel-like enclosure. By rotatingthe rock shaft in a limited arc, the bar 78 with its probe units ismoved up and down.

As best seen in FIGS. 2, 7, and 8, the rock shaft 89 has anupwardly-extending lever 90 at the left end. There is a piston rod 91pivotally connected at 92 with lever 90. This rod has a piston thatoperates in a cylinder 93 that has its end pivotally secured to abracket 94 on a fixed support 95.

Starting from the position shown in FIG. 7 at the extreme right handlimit of its throw, the lever 90 first moves under the operatingextension 97a of a switch 97 to a position at the extreme left handlimit of its throw under the operating extension 96a of a switch 96.Operating extension 97a has a pivoted knee or ratchet action so that asthe lever 90 moves from right to left, it lifts the operating extension97a without operating switch 97. When the lever moves under operatingextension 96a, it raises said extension to close switch 96 and hold itclosed. When the lever then moves from under extension 96a toward therights, it releases extension 96a to open switch 96 and contactingextension 97a it operates said extension momentarily to close switch 97and then clears said extension as it reaches its limit of travel towardthe right. The operation of the cylinder-piston unit 93-91 is controlledby a solenoid valve unit 98 to admit air under pressure to one end ofcylinder 93 to drive the piston to the left when the solenoid isenergized to effect lowering of the probes and to the opposite end ofcylinder 93 to raise the probes when its solenoid is deenergized, suchoperations, of course, being effected through the rocking of the lever90 as previously explained.

Finally, there is a proximity switch 100 located on the side wall 6 ofthe enclosure between the entrance end 3 and the nearest of the fillingvalves, preferably at a location where there will be at least eight ornine cans between it and the star wheel 30, the drawing showing itpositioned so that there are nine cans between it and the star wheel,with six of them positioned under the six filling valve tubes ornozzles. This is to assure that no operation can take place until thereare the required six cans under the filling valves.

Assume that there are not cans in the machine at start-up and theconveyor is operating. The cans will enter the apparatus fromthesterilizing chamber and move through an atmosphere of steam until theleading can is blocked by the star wheel. The succeeding cans will lineup behind the leading one, and as the ninth comes to rest, it willenergize the proximity switch 100. This 2ill energize a relay andsolenoid valve 98 to admit air to cylinder 93 to move lever 90 from theposition shown in FIG. 7 toward the left to the position shown in FIG.8, rocking the shaft 89, thereby lowering the probes 80 into the canspositioned beneath them. The lever 90 will also contact switch 96. Thiswill energize a relay to open all of the filling valves. The cans maynot fill at the same rate, and as the liquid reaches the level of theprobe in each can, a circuit will be closed through the product andground to close the particular filling valve for that can. There is asecond circuit in which the probes are all in series, and when all thecans have been filled to contact their respective probes, this circuitwill be completed, and it will send an impulse to effect the admissionof air to cylinder 93 to move piston rod 91 and lever in the oppositedirection to rock shaft 89 in a direction to raise bar 78 to lift theprobes clear of the tops of the cans.

As the lever 90 returns to the position shown in FIG.

' 7, switch 97 will be operated by it. This will send a current throughstar wheel release solenoid 41 to momentarily admit air under pressureto cylinder 39 to effect the release of latch lever 36 from cam 34,whereupon the cans on the continuously-moving chains will rotate thestar wheel 30. When the six filled cans have rotated the star wheel onerevolution, the latch will again lock the star wheel for the next seriesof cans. Proximity switch 44 will be energized by arm 43 as the starwheel reaches this position. This will send a signal to the centralcontrol, indicating that all filled cans are clear, and preventsreactivation of the apparatus should a can be come stuck and not passthrough the star wheel as rapidly as it should. It will be seen that ifall filled cans do not move out from under the filling tubes, theproximity switch will prevent the opening of the filling valves,

and that if there are not nine cans between the proximity switch 100 andthe star wheel, the apparatus cannot operate, so that if, for example,there were only five cans under the filling tubes, the valves to thefilling tubes could not open.

The circuitry for accomplishing the sequence above described employs allstandard well-known apparatus, and the wiring is conventional. There isa control box shown at in FIG. 1 under the machine. In FIG. 9 there is asimplified schematic ladder type diagram that we preferably use andwhich is illustrative of one circuit which we have found to bepreferable.

Referring to FIG. 9, closing main switch M in the 440 volt factory lineenergizes transformer 176 to induce a llO volt current in the top lineD1 of the ladder diagram. Vertical side X, of the diagram may beconsidered for the purpose of explanation, the hot side of the circuitand X the ground side.

In line D2 there is a switch 44 which is the proximity switch associatedwith the star wheel and in parallel with it there is a self-opening,manually closed switch 44a that must be pushed to initiate operation ofthe machine after shut down. The closing of either of these switchesenergizes the coil of a latch-in relay 177.

In line D3 are relay contacts indicated as switch 178 which is closed byenergizing relay 177 in line D2, the broken vertical line 179 indicatingthis relation. In line D3 there is also proximity switch 100 which isindicated to be closed so that current may flow through solenoid 98 toenergize it and effect operation of cylinder-piston unit 93-91 to lowerthe probes and keep them down as long as said solenoid is energized.

In line D4 there are relay contacts represented as switch 96 that isclosed when the probes lower with lever 90 moving to the left hand limitof its travel. There are also like contacts or switch 180 that is closedby energizing latch-in relay 177. The several solenoid valves 67 for thefilling valves are designated by the circles V-l-S, V-2-S, V-3-S, V-4-S,V-S-S and V-6-S and they are all connected in parallel to the lines Xand X in line D4 through vertical lines 181 and 182. However,

transformer 185 for inducing a low voltage current,

typically about 11 volts in the probe circuit comprising the transformersecondary 185a, line 186 and vertical lines 187 and 188. Line 188 isconnected through line 189 to the other side of the transformersecondary 185a and to ground. For each filling valve there is a circuitleading from vertical line 187 to vertical line 188, these circuits allbeing in parallel, and each comprises a line 190, probe relay coil 191,and a probe 80 with its container, all in series. The arrangement issuch that when a circuit from vertical line 187 can flow through line190, probe relay coil 191 and probe 80 and the contents of the can tovertical line 188 the relay coil 191 will be energized to open thenormally closed contacts 183 for that filling station, thereby allowingits valve 67 to close and at the same time closing the normally opencontacts 184 for that same filling station. Thus, as each can orcontainer is filled to a level where the product contacts the probe 80that is then projected into it, the filling spout or valve for thatcontainer will close with the de-energizing of solenoid valve 67 toeffect closing of the product supply valve for that station, aspreviously explained. Since one can may fill more quickly than another,the closing of the product supply valve at one station does not affectthe closing of the product supply valves at other stations, since thesolenoid valves 67 are connected in parallel. However, until all canshave been filled the probes must not be raised, so the relay contacts184 for each of the filling stations are all in series, and a circuit isnot completed to latch-in relay release coil 177a untilall of the proberelay coils 191 have been energized by the filling of all of the cans tothe required level and thereby close the relay contacts 184 in theentire series.

Line D7 of the diagram includes lever actuated switch 97 and thestar-wheel release relay 41. As soon as latch-in relay release 177a isactuated with the filling of all of the containers under the severalspouts, as above explained switch 178 is opened. This deenergizessolenoid valve 98, thereby reversing air flow to the cylinder 93 to movelever 90 (FIGS. 7 and 8) to the right. As lever 90 moves to the right,it momentarily closes switch 97 in line D7 of the diagram to energizethe solenoid of the starwheel latch release relay 41, allowing thefilled containers to move out of the container filling station. When allfilled containers have cleared the star-wheel it will have made onerevolution, and since switch 97 was only momentarily closed, thestar-wheel latch 35 will engage the step on cam disk 34 (FIG. 3) andrestrain further rotation of the star-wheel. Just before this occurs,arm 43 will move past proximity switch 44 again closing latch-in relay177 to repeat the operation, provided however that proximity switch 100is also closed. Arm 43 is positioned to move just past proximity switch44 operating position so that the system cannot recycle until thestar-wheel has made a revolution to clear all of the filled cans fromunder the filling spout, at which time the filled cans will have beenreplaced by the six empty cans immediately following them.

Line D8 of the diagram includes the circuit for the conveyor drivingmotor 21. In this line there is a manually operated starting switch 175which closes a main switch 175a and an emergency stop or overload switchlb. The first step in operating the machine after shut down is to startthe conveyor by closing switch 175a, switch l75b then being closed. Thiswill bring containers from an external source into the machine so thatthe machine will be ready to function when switch 440 in line D2 isclosed. Switch 175175a will remain closed until stop switch l75b isoperated, after which the switches 175175a must be reset to again startthe conveyor.

While the invention is primarily used for the filling of metal cans, itmay also be used for filling glass containers, in which case there maybe spaced parallel probes for each can or when the single probe for eachcontainer here shown contacts the liquid product in the can, the currentwill be grounded through the downcoming stream of product instead ofthrough the metal can and in either case the operation will be the sameas with metal cans.

The cans, which at the time of filling have no top, have a roll seamaround the bottom. If the empty cans are crowded too forcefully togetherthe seam of a following can may tend to climb or ride up on the seam ofthe can ahead, thereby tilting the second can. This does no harm exceptunder the filling spouts the cans will not be uniformly filled withproduct if one can is level and another tilted. FIG. 10 shows anarrangement for relieving the pressure of the following cans against theeight or nine cans between the star-wheel and the proximity switch 100.For this purpose, one of the side walls, 7, of the enclosure has asolenoid 200 mounted thereon just ahead of the proximity switch 100.This solenoid has an armature 201 that projects through the side wall 7at a level above the lower side rails 24 and below the upper side rails.It has a terminal 202 curved to generally follow the contour of thecans. When the solenoid 200 is energized, the terminal 202 of thearmature will push the can which is then in position opposite saidterminal and move the can laterally just slightly, thereby breaking itscontact with the container ahead just enough so that when the leadingcontainer is stopped by the star-wheel the few cans in the seriesbetween the armature and the star-wheel will be relieved of the pressureof the long line of oncoming cans back of the armature. When thesolenoid 200 is deenergized, a spring retracts the armature and freesthe containers so that they may again travel forward. For simplicitythis brake arrangement is described as being a solenoid. Actually weprefer to use an air cylinder controlled by a solenoid valve.

In the diagram, line D3 includes a circuit 203 in parallel with theprobe raising solenoid valve 98 which includes the solenoid 200 so thatwhen the valve 98 operates to effect lowering of the probes, solenoid200 will be energized to operate armature 201 and its terminal 202 torelieve the pressure of the line of cans against those in the fillingsection and when solenoid valve 98 is de-energized to raise the probes,the armature 201 will retract to allow empty cans to follow intoposition under the filling nozzles as the filled cans are moving outpast the star-wheels.

While the circuit above described in FIG. 9 is fully automatic, themachine could of course be operated manually by the use of circuitrywhere a succession of signal lights would enable an operator to pushbuttons in a proper sequence. Also, the fundamental elemens of thecircuits may be augmented by the use of various other relays andamplifier circuits. All relays and solenoid operated valves and switchesare of conventional construction and available as off-the-shelf" itemsforming no part, per se, of our invention.

The apparatus as here described functions smoothly repeating severalcycles a minute. The cold product, such for example as ketchup or tomatopaste for restaurant and institutional use, flows into the cans underpressure and the cans pass directly from the sterilizer into theatmosphere of steam in the filling chamber. At the discharge end of thefilling apparatus the cans pass through exit 9 into a closedsteam-sterilized tunnel or enclosure to the can or container-closing orseaming machine where they are closed or sealed in the conventionalmanner.

Since the cans move intermittently in a straight line, all significantbearings and operating parts are outside the machine, and complicationsinherent in turntabletype filling machines are avoided.

We claim:

1. Container-filling apparatus comprising:

a. an elongate tunnel-like enclosure having an entrance end and adischarge end,

b. means for maintaining an atmosphere of steam in the enclosure,

c. a continuously operating conveyor on which containers are carried ina single line from one end of the enclosure to the other,

d. an in-line series of filling valves above the enclosure, each havinga fixed product discharge tube depending therefrom, the enclosure havinga series of openings therein corresponding in number to the number ofdischarge tubes with a separate one of said discharge tubes projectingthrough one of said openings and terminating above the conveyor clear ofthe containers on the conveyor and so positioned that each dischargetube will be positioned to discharge product into one of a group ofcontainers in line on the conveyor beneath said tubes, each of theseveral valves being connected with a source of product supply soarranged that product flows by gravity into the respective containersfrom the respective tubes at rates that may vary,

. means for blocking the travel of the line of containers arranged tostop the travel of the containers with one container under each productdischarge tube,

ing valves simultaneously when the containers are in position under thetubes,

g. means for separately effecting the closing of each filling valve asthe product in the container to which said valve admits product reachesa predetermined level, and

h. means arranged to release said blocking means only when all of thefilling valves have been closed and to thereafter hold the blockingmeans released until all of the containers in the group which have meansoperable to effect opening of all of said fillbeen so filled have allbeen moved by the conveyor away from beneath the product discharge tubesand while succeeding containers are moved by the conveyor into positionunder the said tubes, and

then restore said blocking means to containerblocking position forrepeating the filling cycle.

2. Container-filling apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein there is ameans to prevent the opening of the filling valves unless there are atleast sufficient empty containers on the conveyor to provide a containerunder each filling tube.

3. Container-filling apparatus as defined in claim 2 in which saidlast-named means comprises a proximity switch on the enclosurepositioned between the entrance end of the enclosure positioned betweenthe entrance end of the enclosure and the first product discharge tube.

4. Container-filling apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said meansfor blocking the travel of the containers comprises a star wheel havingvanes that move in succession over the conveyor in the path of travel ofthe containers thereon with the number of vanes corresponding to thenumber of filling valves, said star wheel being positioned at a locationfollowing the endmost discharge tube past which the filled containersmove and in advance of the discharge end of the enclosure, said meansarranged to release the blocking means comprising a latch normallyholding the star wheel against rotation with means to release the latchjust long enough for the star wheel to make a single revolution.

5. Container-filling apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said meansfor blocking the travel of the containers comprises a star wheel havingvanes that move in succession over the conveyor in the path of travel ofthe containers thereon with the number of vanes corresponding to thenumber of filling valves, said star wheel being positioned at a locationfollowing the endmost discharge tube past which the filled containersmove and in advance of the discharge end of the enclosure, the saidmeans arranged to release the blocking means comprising: V

a. a shaft for the star wheel, a cam on the shaft having a step thereon,a latch with means for yieldingly holding the latch in engagement withthe latch normally abutting said step to restrain the star wheel againstrotation in the direction in which it is urged by the containers on theconveyor, electricallycontrolled means arranged to momentarily releasethe latch, said means for yieldingly holding the latch engaged with thecam serving to move the latch back into engatement with said step whenthe star wheel has rotated the cam to a position to be latched.

6. Container-filling apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which there area series of probes arranged to be lowered from a level above the tops ofthe containers down into the interior of the containers so positionedthat one probe enters each container that is under a product dischargetube with means for raising and lowering the probes in unison, saidmeans for raising and lowering the probes including also means to effectsimultaneously the opening only of the filling valves when it operatesto lower the probes, the probes controlling the closing of theindividual filling valves when the product in each container contactsits respective probe.

7. Container-filling apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which there area series of probes arranged to be lowered from a level above the tops ofthe containers down into the interior of the containers so positionedthat one probe enters each container that is under a product dischargetube, a common supporting bar on which all of said probes are mounted,means for raising and lowering said supporting bar, electric switchmeans operated by said raising and lowering means arranged to effectsimultaneous opening of the filling valves when said bar is lowered, theprobes controlling the closing of the respective filling valvesindependently of one another when the product in each container contactsthat individual probe which enters the container, and circuit means soarranged that said bar-raising and lowering means can effect raising ofthe bar only when all filling valves have been closed, said bar raisingand lowering means being arranged to effect release of said blockingmeans when the bar is raised.

8. Container-filling apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein there isa'proximity switch on the enclosure between the entrance end of theenclosure and the first product discharge tube positioned to be operatedby containers on the conveyor with a circuit controlled thereby arrangedto effect operation of supporting bar raising and lowering means toeffect lowering movement only of the bar, and wherein there is anotherelectric circuit which includes all of the probes arranged to operatesaid bar-raising and lowering means to effect only the raising of thebar when every container under a product discharge tube has been filledto a level where the product in the container touches the probe whichprojects into it.

9. Container-filling apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein each probeis also included in an electric circuitarranged to effect the closing ofthe filling valve that delivers product to the container into which thatprobe then projects at such time that the level of .the product touchesthe probe.

10. Container-filling apparatus as defined in claim 9 where the barraising and lowering means with the said probes, the filling valves andoperating means therefore and said cam and latch and operating means forthe latch are all outside the steam-filled enclosure.

11. Container-filling apparatus comprising:

a. an elongate enclosure having an entrance end and a discharge end andmeans for maintaining an atmosphere of steam therein,

b. means for intermittently advancing a line of containers in groupsthrough the enclosure from the entrance end to the discharge end,

c. means for filling each group of containers in said line uniformlywith a product when the containers are stationary; and

d. means controlled by the position of a group of the containers in theenclosure when they are stopped to effect the filling of product intothe containers of the group, and means controlled by the level ofproduct in the respective individual containers in the group arranged toterminate the filling of product into the containers as each becomesfilled and means arranged to effect the simultaneous movement of thefilled containers in the group only after the filling of product in allof the containers has been finished.

12. The apparatus defined in claim 11 wherein there is a star wheel forholding a group of containers in position under the filling means, thestar wheel having a number of vanes corresponding to the number of con-13. In a container-filling apparatus wherein there is a line of singlecontainers in single file on a continuously-moving conveyor, the travelof which line of containers only is interrupted each time apredetermined num ber of empty containers in the group at the lead endof said line is each in product-receiving position under a separateindividual filling tube and filled with product, and wherein the travelof the line of containers is then resumed to move the filled containersfrom beneath the filling tubes and they are replaced with an equalnumber of the empty containers next in the line, the improvementcomprising wherein there is a means for electrically sensing when eachseparate container under the several filling tubes has been filled to apredetermined level comprising a vertically-movable bar having a seriesof spaced probes therealong electrically insulated one from another withthe probes thereon so positioned that when the bar is lowered, one probewill enter each of the containers so positioned under the filling tubesto the level to which the container is to be filled, and when the levelof product in each container all make contact with their respectiveprobe the bar is raised to be clear of the tops of the containers, themeans for raising and lowering the bar comprising a rock shaft withcrank arms thereon with links connecting said crank arms to the bar forlowering or raising the bar as the shaft is rocked one way or the other,a fluid pressure cylinder and piston unit operatively connected with thecrank arm for moving it through a predetermined arc to raise or lowerthe bar and wherein each filling tube is connected with a product supplymanifold through its individual electro-magneticallyoperated fillingvalve and each filling tube also has a discharge terminal spaced fromthe valve, there being a star wheel arranged with vanes that projectinto the path of travel of the containers on the conveyor at a locationto be rotated by the filled cans moving from under the filling tubes,the star wheel having a latch that holds the star wheel against rotationafter said predetermined number of filled containers has passed fromunder the filling tubes and has been replaced by empty ones,electro-magnetic means for releasing said latch, said probes each beingin an individual valveclosing circuit including a relay which isenergized when the product in a container touches the probe in saidcontainer, the relay having contacts arranged to effect closing of thevalve in its circuit when the relay is energized, said relays also eachhaving contacts in a series circuit separate from the valve closingcircuit which includes all of the relays arranged to effect operation ofthe said cylinder and piston means for raising the probes only after allof said relays in the series circuit have been closed.

14. The apparatus defined in claim 13 wherein there is a lever on saidrock shaft that is moved through an are when the cylinder and pistonunit operate to move the rock shaft and wherein there is a switchpositioned to be operated by said lever to energize said electromagneticlatch-releasing means when the lever moves to a position where theprobes are clear of the containers which have just been filled.

15. The apparatus defined in claim 14 wherein there is a switch meansoperated by rotation of the star wheel arranged to effect the operationof the cylinder and piston means to lower the probes only after apredetermined rotation of the star wheel by the movement of filledcontainers past the star wheel has taken place, and switch meanspositioned to be operated by said lever as it operates to move theprobes into the containers arranged to effect the simultaneous openingof all of said product supply valves.

16. Apparatus as defined in claim 15 in which there is an enclosure forthe conveyor providing a sterilizing section in advance of the fillingspouts and extending continuously to a location beyond the star wheeland wherein there is means for continuously maintaining an atmosphere ofsteam in the enclosure, the top of the enclosure having openingstherethrough into each of which one of the discharge terminals of afilling tube is fitted, the filling valves, manifold, vertically movablebar, rock shaft, lever and cylinder and piston unit for moving the leverand the star wheel latch and operating means therefore, all'beingoutside said enclosure.

17. In an apparatus for simultaneously filling a group of containerswith a sterile product in an aseptic atmosphere, the inventioncomprising:

a. an elongate enclosure and a continuously moving conveyor forsupporting and moving a line of containers to be filled in single filethrough the enclosure,

b. a plurality of filling tubes arranged in line over the conveyor, eachfilling tube extending through the top of the enclosure,

c. each filling tube being connected with a common product-supplyingmanifold outside the enclosure through a separate valve also positionedoutside the enclosure for controlling the flow of product from themanifold through the tube,

d. each valve having a solenoid for opening it when the solenoid isenergized and spring means arranged to effect closing of the valve whenthe solenoid is de-energized,

e. a star wheel in the enclosure arranged in turnstile fashion over theconveyor having a number of radial vanes equal to the number of fillingtubes, and a cam driven by the star wheel,

f. latch means outside the enclosure biased to engage said star wheeldriven cam and normally hold the star wheel against rotation, and meansfor temporarily withdrawing the latch from the cam to permit only asingle rotation of the star wheel when it is released, whereby the starwheel will normally block the movement of containers while the conveyorcontinues to move and with the containers so located that one containerwill be positioned under each filling tube and when the latch isreleased the star wheel may then rotate only sufficiently to pass anumber of containers corresponding to the number of filling tubes.

18. Container-filling apparatus comprising:

a. an elongate tunnel-like enclosure having an entrance end and adischarge end,

b. means for maintaining an atmosphere of steam in the enclosure,

c. a continuously-operating conveyor on which empty containers to befilled are carried in a continuous single line in contacting relationfrom one end of the enclosure, filled while in the enclosure anddischarged at the other end,

d. a plurality of filling valves above the enclosure with fixed productdischarge tubes opening through the top of the enclosure, each arrangedto discharge product into a separate container on the conveyor,

. means for blocking the travel of the line of containers arranged tostop the travel of the containers with one container under each productdischarge tube,

f. means operable to effect opening of all of said filling valvessimultaneously when the containers are in position under the tubes,

g. means for closing each filling valve individually when the containerwhich receives product from it has been filled to a predetermined level,

h. means arranged to release said blocking means only when all fillingvanes have been closed and keep said blocking means released until thecontainers so filled have all been moved by the conveyor away frombeneath the product discharge tubes and while succeeding containers aremoved by the conveyor into position under the said tubes, and thenrestoring it to container-blocking position for repeating the entirecycle, and

. means arranged to relieve those containers on the conveyor positionedunder the filling valves waiting to be filled from the pressure of theline of containers on the continuously-operating conveyor rearwardly ofthose waiting to be filled to thereby assure that such containers sopositioned will remain level until such time as the containers have beenfilled and the blocking means released.

19. In an apparatus wherein a continuously-operating conveyor moves acontinuous line of abutting empty containers into an elongatedtunnel-like enclosure in which a group of containers at the lead end ofthe line are filled while positioned in the enclosure, which group isthen discharged, the invention comprising:

a. an elongate enclosure and a continuously-moving conveyor forsupporting and moving a line of containers to be filled in single filethrough the enclosure with the containers in contacting relation to oneanother,

b. a plurality of filling tubes arranged in line over the conveyor, eachfilling tube extending through the top of the enclosure,

c. each filling tube being connected with a common manifold outside theenclosure through a separate passage in which is a valve positionedoutside the enclosure,

d. each valve having a solenoid for opening it when the solenoid isenergized and spring means arranged to effect closing of the valve whenthe solenoid is de-energized,

e. a star wheel in the enclosure arranged in turnstile fashion over theconveyor having a number of radial vanes equal to the number of fillingtubes and a cam driven by the star wheel,

f. latch means outside the enclosure biased to engage said star wheeldriven cam and normally hold the star wheel against rotation, and meansfor temporarily withdrawing the latch from the cam to permit g. saidlatch means cooperating with the star wheel and arranged to limit thestar wheel to a single revolution after each time latch is released andthereby temporarily hold a container under each filling spout,

h. a series of vertically-movable probes passing through the top of theenclosure, one probe being positioned to enter each one of thecontainers so temporarily positioned under a filling tube,

. means outside the enclosure for raising and lowering all of saidprobes in unison from a position above the container so positioned to aposition where each probe enters the upper portions of one of thecontainers in the group which is so positioned under the filling tubes,

means for continuously maintaining an atmosphere of steam in theenclosure, and

k. means for restraining the containers on the continuously-movingconveyor from pushing against the group positioned under the fillingtubes to prevent any such containers so positioned from being tilted andthereby prevent non-uniform filling which would occur if one or more ofthe containers so positioned became tilted.

1. Container-filling apparatus comprising: a. an elongate tunnel-likeenclosure having an entrance end and a discharge end, b. means formaintaining an atmosphere of steam in the enclosure, c. a continuouslyoperating conveyor on which containers are carried in a single line fromone end of the enclosure to the other, d. an in-line series of fillingvalves above the enclosure, each having a fixed product discharge tubedepending therefrom, the enclosure having a series of openings thereincorresponding in number to the number of discharge tubes with a separateone of said discharge tubes projecting through one of said openings andterminating above the conveyor clear Of the containers on the conveyorand so positioned that each discharge tube will be positioned todischarge product into one of a group of containers in line on theconveyor beneath said tubes, each of the several valves being connectedwith a source of product supply so arranged that product flows bygravity into the respective containers from the respective tubes atrates that may vary, e. means for blocking the travel of the line ofcontainers arranged to stop the travel of the containers with onecontainer under each product discharge tube, f. means operable to effectopening of all of said filling valves simultaneously when the containersare in position under the tubes, g. means for separately effecting theclosing of each filling valve as the product in the container to whichsaid valve admits product reaches a predetermined level, and h. meansarranged to release said blocking means only when all of the fillingvalves have been closed and to thereafter hold the blocking meansreleased until all of the containers in the group which have been sofilled have all been moved by the conveyor away from beneath the productdischarge tubes and while succeeding containers are moved by theconveyor into position under the said tubes, and then restore saidblocking means to container-blocking position for repeating the fillingcycle.
 2. Container-filling apparatus as defined in claim 1 whereinthere is a means to prevent the opening of the filling valves unlessthere are at least sufficient empty containers on the conveyor toprovide a container under each filling tube.
 3. Container-fillingapparatus as defined in claim 2 in which said last-named means comprisesa proximity switch on the enclosure positioned between the entrance endof the enclosure positioned between the entrance end of the enclosureand the first product discharge tube.
 4. Container-filling apparatus asdefined in claim 1 in which said means for blocking the travel of thecontainers comprises a star wheel having vanes that move in successionover the conveyor in the path of travel of the containers thereon withthe number of vanes corresponding to the number of filling valves, saidstar wheel being positioned at a location following the endmostdischarge tube past which the filled containers move and in advance ofthe discharge end of the enclosure, said means arranged to release theblocking means comprising a latch normally holding the star wheelagainst rotation with means to release the latch just long enough forthe star wheel to make a single revolution.
 5. Container-fillingapparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said means for blocking thetravel of the containers comprises a star wheel having vanes that movein succession over the conveyor in the path of travel of the containersthereon with the number of vanes corresponding to the number of fillingvalves, said star wheel being positioned at a location following theendmost discharge tube past which the filled containers move and inadvance of the discharge end of the enclosure, the said means arrangedto release the blocking means comprising: a. a shaft for the star wheel,a cam on the shaft having a step thereon, a latch with means foryieldingly holding the latch in engagement with the latch normallyabutting said step to restrain the star wheel against rotation in thedirection in which it is urged by the containers on the conveyor,electrically-controlled means arranged to momentarily release the latch,said means for yieldingly holding the latch engaged with the cam servingto move the latch back into engatement with said step when the starwheel has rotated the cam to a position to be latched. 6.Container-filling apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which there are aseries of probes arranged to be lowered from a level above the tops ofthe containers down into the interior of the containers so positionedthat one probe enters each container that is under a product dischargetube wiTh means for raising and lowering the probes in unison, saidmeans for raising and lowering the probes including also means to effectsimultaneously the opening only of the filling valves when it operatesto lower the probes, the probes controlling the closing of theindividual filling valves when the product in each container contactsits respective probe.
 7. Container-filling apparatus as defined in claim1 in which there are a series of probes arranged to be lowered from alevel above the tops of the containers down into the interior of thecontainers so positioned that one probe enters each container that isunder a product discharge tube, a common supporting bar on which all ofsaid probes are mounted, means for raising and lowering said supportingbar, electric switch means operated by said raising and lowering meansarranged to effect simultaneous opening of the filling valves when saidbar is lowered, the probes controlling the closing of the respectivefilling valves independently of one another when the product in eachcontainer contacts that individual probe which enters the container, andcircuit means so arranged that said bar-raising and lowering means caneffect raising of the bar only when all filling valves have been closed,said bar raising and lowering means being arranged to effect release ofsaid blocking means when the bar is raised.
 8. Container-fillingapparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein there is a proximity switch onthe enclosure between the entrance end of the enclosure and the firstproduct discharge tube positioned to be operated by containers on theconveyor with a circuit controlled thereby arranged to effect operationof supporting bar raising and lowering means to effect lowering movementonly of the bar, and wherein there is another electric circuit whichincludes all of the probes arranged to operate said bar-raising andlowering means to effect only the raising of the bar when everycontainer under a product discharge tube has been filled to a levelwhere the product in the container touches the probe which projects intoit.
 9. Container-filling apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein eachprobe is also included in an electric circuit arranged to effect theclosing of the filling valve that delivers product to the container intowhich that probe then projects at such time that the level of theproduct touches the probe.
 10. Container-filling apparatus as defined inclaim 9 where the bar raising and lowering means with the said probes,the filling valves and operating means therefore and said cam and latchand operating means for the latch are all outside the steam-filledenclosure.
 11. Container-filling apparatus comprising: a. an elongateenclosure having an entrance end and a discharge end and means formaintaining an atmosphere of steam therein, b. means for intermittentlyadvancing a line of containers in groups through the enclosure from theentrance end to the discharge end, c. means for filling each group ofcontainers in said line uniformly with a product when the containers arestationary; and d. means controlled by the position of a group of thecontainers in the enclosure when they are stopped to effect the fillingof product into the containers of the group, and means controlled by thelevel of product in the respective individual containers in the grouparranged to terminate the filling of product into the containers as eachbecomes filled and means arranged to effect the simultaneous movement ofthe filled containers in the group only after the filling of product inall of the containers has been finished.
 12. The apparatus defined inclaim 11 wherein there is a star wheel for holding a group of containersin position under the filling means, the star wheel having a number ofvanes corresponding to the number of containers in each group wherebythe star wheel makes one complete revolution as each group of fillingcontainers moves from beneath the filling means, anD means controlled byrotation of the star wheel for preventing the advance of another groupof containers through the enclosure until all of the filled containersin a group have first moved clear of said filling means.
 13. In acontainer-filling apparatus wherein there is a line of single containersin single file on a continuously-moving conveyor, the travel of whichline of containers only is interrupted each time a predetermined numberof empty containers in the group at the lead end of said line is each inproduct-receiving position under a separate individual filling tube andfilled with product, and wherein the travel of the line of containers isthen resumed to move the filled containers from beneath the fillingtubes and they are replaced with an equal number of the empty containersnext in the line, the improvement comprising wherein there is a meansfor electrically sensing when each separate container under the severalfilling tubes has been filled to a predetermined level comprising avertically-movable bar having a series of spaced probes therealongelectrically insulated one from another with the probes thereon sopositioned that when the bar is lowered, one probe will enter each ofthe containers so positioned under the filling tubes to the level towhich the container is to be filled, and when the level of product ineach container all make contact with their respective probe the bar israised to be clear of the tops of the containers, the means for raisingand lowering the bar comprising a rock shaft with crank arms thereonwith links connecting said crank arms to the bar for lowering or raisingthe bar as the shaft is rocked one way or the other, a fluid pressurecylinder and piston unit operatively connected with the crank arm formoving it through a predetermined arc to raise or lower the bar andwherein each filling tube is connected with a product supply manifoldthrough its individual electro-magnetically-operated filling valve andeach filling tube also has a discharge terminal spaced from the valve,there being a star wheel arranged with vanes that project into the pathof travel of the containers on the conveyor at a location to be rotatedby the filled cans moving from under the filling tubes, the star wheelhaving a latch that holds the star wheel against rotation after saidpredetermined number of filled containers has passed from under thefilling tubes and has been replaced by empty ones, electro-magneticmeans for releasing said latch, said probes each being in an individualvalve-closing circuit including a relay which is energized when theproduct in a container touches the probe in said container, the relayhaving contacts arranged to effect closing of the valve in its circuitwhen the relay is energized, said relays also each having contacts in aseries circuit separate from the valve closing circuit which includesall of the relays arranged to effect operation of the said cylinder andpiston means for raising the probes only after all of said relays in theseries circuit have been closed.
 14. The apparatus defined in claim 13wherein there is a lever on said rock shaft that is moved through an arcwhen the cylinder and piston unit operate to move the rock shaft andwherein there is a switch positioned to be operated by said lever toenergize said electro-magnetic latch-releasing means when the levermoves to a position where the probes are clear of the containers whichhave just been filled.
 15. The apparatus defined in claim 14 whereinthere is a switch means operated by rotation of the star wheel arrangedto effect the operation of the cylinder and piston means to lower theprobes only after a predetermined rotation of the star wheel by themovement of filled containers past the star wheel has taken place, andswitch means positioned to be operated by said lever as it operates tomove the probes into the containers arranged to effect the simultaneousopening of all of said product supply valves.
 16. Apparatus as definedin claim 15 in which there is an enclosure for the conveyor providing asterilizing section in advance of the filling spouts and extendingcontinuously to a location beyond the star wheel and wherein there ismeans for continuously maintaining an atmosphere of steam in theenclosure, the top of the enclosure having openings therethrough intoeach of which one of the discharge terminals of a filling tube isfitted, the filling valves, manifold, vertically movable bar, rockshaft, lever and cylinder and piston unit for moving the lever and thestar wheel latch and operating means therefore, all being outside saidenclosure.
 17. In an apparatus for simultaneously filling a group ofcontainers with a sterile product in an aseptic atmosphere, theinvention comprising: a. an elongate enclosure and a continuously movingconveyor for supporting and moving a line of containers to be filled insingle file through the enclosure, b. a plurality of filling tubesarranged in line over the conveyor, each filling tube extending throughthe top of the enclosure, c. each filling tube being connected with acommon product-supplying manifold outside the enclosure through aseparate valve also positioned outside the enclosure for controlling theflow of product from the manifold through the tube, d. each valve havinga solenoid for opening it when the solenoid is energized and springmeans arranged to effect closing of the valve when the solenoid isde-energized, e. a star wheel in the enclosure arranged in turnstilefashion over the conveyor having a number of radial vanes equal to thenumber of filling tubes, and a cam driven by the star wheel, f. latchmeans outside the enclosure biased to engage said star wheel driven camand normally hold the star wheel against rotation, and means fortemporarily withdrawing the latch from the cam to permit only a singlerotation of the star wheel when it is released, whereby the star wheelwill normally block the movement of containers while the conveyorcontinues to move and with the containers so located that one containerwill be positioned under each filling tube and when the latch isreleased the star wheel may then rotate only sufficiently to pass anumber of containers corresponding to the number of filling tubes. 18.Container-filling apparatus comprising: a. an elongate tunnel-likeenclosure having an entrance end and a discharge end, b. means formaintaining an atmosphere of steam in the enclosure, c. acontinuously-operating conveyor on which empty containers to be filledare carried in a continuous single line in contacting relation from oneend of the enclosure, filled while in the enclosure and discharged atthe other end, d. a plurality of filling valves above the enclosure withfixed product discharge tubes opening through the top of the enclosure,each arranged to discharge product into a separate container on theconveyor, e. means for blocking the travel of the line of containersarranged to stop the travel of the containers with one container undereach product discharge tube, f. means operable to effect opening of allof said filling valves simultaneously when the containers are inposition under the tubes, g. means for closing each filling valveindividually when the container which receives product from it has beenfilled to a predetermined level, h. means arranged to release saidblocking means only when all filling vanes have been closed and keepsaid blocking means released until the containers so filled have allbeen moved by the conveyor away from beneath the product discharge tubesand while succeeding containers are moved by the conveyor into positionunder the said tubes, and then restoring it to container-blockingposition for repeating the entire cycle, and i. means arranged torelieve those containers on the conveyor positioned under the fillingvalves waiting to be filled from the pressure of the line of containersoN the continuously-operating conveyor rearwardly of those waiting to befilled to thereby assure that such containers so positioned will remainlevel until such time as the containers have been filled and theblocking means released.
 19. In an apparatus wherein acontinuously-operating conveyor moves a continuous line of abuttingempty containers into an elongated tunnel-like enclosure in which agroup of containers at the lead end of the line are filled whilepositioned in the enclosure, which group is then discharged, theinvention comprising: a. an elongate enclosure and a continuously-movingconveyor for supporting and moving a line of containers to be filled insingle file through the enclosure with the containers in contactingrelation to one another, b. a plurality of filling tubes arranged inline over the conveyor, each filling tube extending through the top ofthe enclosure, c. each filling tube being connected with a commonmanifold outside the enclosure through a separate passage in which is avalve positioned outside the enclosure, d. each valve having a solenoidfor opening it when the solenoid is energized and spring means arrangedto effect closing of the valve when the solenoid is de-energized, e. astar wheel in the enclosure arranged in turnstile fashion over theconveyor having a number of radial vanes equal to the number of fillingtubes and a cam driven by the star wheel, f. latch means outside theenclosure biased to engage said star wheel driven cam and normally holdthe star wheel against rotation, and means for temporarily withdrawingthe latch from the cam to permit only a single rotation of the starwheel when it is released, whereby the star wheel will normally blockthe movement of containers while the conveyor continues to move and withthe contaners so located that one container will be positioned undereach filling tube and when the latch is released the star wheel may thenrotate only sufficiently to pass a number of containers corresponding tothe number of filling spouts, g. said latch means cooperating with thestar wheel and arranged to limit the star wheel to a single revolutionafter each time latch is released and thereby temporarily hold acontainer under each filling spout, h. a series of vertically-movableprobes passing through the top of the enclosure, one probe beingpositioned to enter each one of the containers so temporarily positionedunder a filling tube, i. means outside the enclosure for raising andlowering all of said probes in unison from a position above thecontainer so positioned to a position where each probe enters the upperportions of one of the containers in the group which is so positionedunder the filling tubes, j. means for continuously maintaining anatmosphere of steam in the enclosure, and k. means for restraining thecontainers on the continuously-moving conveyor from pushing against thegroup positioned under the filling tubes to prevent any such containersso positioned from being tilted and thereby prevent non-uniform fillingwhich would occur if one or more of the containers so positioned becametilted.